Ag Days doing well in new home
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Jadyn Rech, a member of Sunni Bell 4-H Club in Burgettstown, takes Oreo, a miniature horse, around a jumping course to demonstrate the event to visitors Saturday at Ag Days at Washington County Fairgrounds.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Angie Piktel, 19 months, of Daisytown, claps as she struts around as a chicken during the Down on the Farm costume contest at Ag Days at Washington County Fairgrounds.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Children take the opportunity to pet a Rex breed of rabbit, which feels like velvet, at the Rabbit Habit 4-H Club table at Ag Days.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Washington County Fair princess Allana McCoy carries a pie being auctioned off at Ag Days at the Washington County Fairgrounds. The pie sale benefits the Washington County Cattlemen’s Educational Support Grant
Spectators take in the sights of Ag Days at its new location at the Washington County Fairgrounds
Ag Days
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Lindsey Ashby, 8, Alexis Ryan, 8, Elaina Ashby, 10, and Alexia Ashby, 10, hold ducklings Saturday at an exhibit at Ag Days.
Washington County Ag Days appears to be doing better than ever after a year off and a move to Washington County Fairgrounds.
For years, Ag Days had been held at Washington Crown Center but was canceled in 2017 for a variety of reasons, including not being able to exhibit live animals.
The move to the fairgrounds has been a beneficial one, said Judy Iams, one of an eight-member committee that puts on the show that was held Friday night and all day Saturday at the fairgrounds in Chartiers Township.
“It is our first year here, and I hope many, many more,” said Michele Ward, who is also a member of the committee. “We can do things here that we could not do at the mall.”
Iams said there are no restrictions on animals at the fairgrounds. Washington County Fair Board also opened up the kitchen areas, allowing 4-H clubs access so they could sell food.
“Some of the clubs are doing so well that this may end up being the only fundraiser they need to do,” Iams said.
The fair board and its president, Todd Richards, have been very helpful, Iams said.
A tent was set up outside for a petting zoo, donated by Barnyard Petting Zoo, which was able to return to Ag Days. Iams said Ag Days is about not only agriculture, but education.
Demonstrations that occurred throughout the event included beefing, butterflies, sawmill and calf fitting. There also was a performance by miniature horses and a sheep-shearing demonstration. The Master Gardeners also had a demonstration and spring plant sale at the John White House.
The apple pie contest and auction, which had been an Ag Day staple, also returned Saturday.
“The crowd has been fantastic,” Iams said.